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Another Project

This is my kitchen countertop. Industrial Grey, with Under-Mount Sink, and Integrated Drain Board. Also note Stainless Steel Backsplash made from scrap i picked up from the recycling center and treated with a 3M pad.

"Counter-Point"

Jesse: Those all look really nice. How much does that kitchen counter weigh? Do you use 3/8" rock and mix the color in the batch? 2500# mix?
As the counter top will be subject to water, do you add entrained air in your mix?

Info

At this point we are using CSA (calcium sulfoaluminate) Cement with a water to cement ratio of 0.35. This gives us compression strength of 10,000psi. As for aggregate it is all the Clients choice. We usually use a standard pea-gravel mix (many sizes of stone) because this will produce a denser mix. Small Stones fit between large stones. But we can also replace the stone with Colored Glass pieces as seen in the desktop picture. Or subtract it all together (use a sand mix) to get the desired look that we are going for. Color is added in the mix using natural or synthetic pigments. It is colored all the way through!. This means you will never have to worry about the finish rubbing of, as with staining. There is also Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete where you use structural rated glass fibers in place of the stone. This will also produce a stronger lighter mix. NO entrained air! In fact we use plasticizers and other methods to get a “fluid mix” to reduce air pockets, and improve workability. All Countertops are sealed with a onetime epoxy urethane sealer that is impenetrable to water and most staining agents.

Standard for weight is about 18lbs a sq. ft. at 1.5 inches thick.

Concrete is not for everyone, bit is is another choice that is out there! It is highly creative and you can personalize it for a client. And because it is hand crafted from scratch is is somewhat costly. I

Counter Tops

I know exactly what you're talking about. Fiber-Mesh, Stealth, Harborite, are used for re-inforcing in shotcrete, walks, and driveways out here.

Masterbuilders 400-N is the most common plasticizer, but Rheo-Build 1000 was used in the support columns at Chase Field, and the new Cardinal's Stadium. That was 7000# mud w/ 1/2" rock!

Decorative concrete is an art all it's own. You do very nice work.

We had a computerized liquid color system that could keep colors consistent throughout the pour (fractional yds, etc), added right in the drum, and could make any color of the rainbow. We poured a tennis court for a costumer, just as green as if you painted it.

People would be surprised if they could see the batch records of what actually goes into Redy-Mix concrete. They ave no idea of the water-reducers, rust inhibitors, and other chemicals used.

About the "purest" mud going these days is "State" mud (2500-4000#) used in box-beam bridge frames, decks, and PCCP (white paving).

FAA (runway mud) is a special "flex-mix" all it's own. Been on those jobs, the inspectors might give you a 1/2" +/- at the slump cone, if you're lucky.

Don't even want to get into "nuclear plant mud." There's some wild stuff. 2" slump, juiced to a 6" at the plant, arrive on the job, back to 2", add 10 more gallons of "mystery" juice, wetted to 6" again, spray bars, ice, chilled water, pump out in a couple of minutes, what's not used, dump in their pit. It would set up in the drum, otherwise.

CNC Water Jet cut embedments

CNC Water Jet cut embedments in concrete work table! I am making this table for the Howell high school shop teacher. He dose leather work as a hobby and wanted a nice work-table that he could use at motorcycle shows. All embedments were cut out on the high schools water jet, that I take advantage of sometimes myself. This table has a 3 inch drop edge and is a close to the Harley burnt orange color.

sealer

The sealer we are using now is called EAP. You can get it online at http://www.concretecountertopsupply....play/Home.html
in the past we have also used StoneLok, but switched to Eap for the ease of application. Our Next large investment is for a UV (Ultraviolet Light) Curing Sealer System which is the most technically advanced sealer available! You put the stuff on, wave a special light over it and it is cured!